Make sure your house number (sometimes called a "fire number" in rural areas) can be seen!
The Amish Man on the RoofSometimes our dispatch information is limited. Last winter I was riding shotgun in the pumper as we searched for an address based on two pieces of information: The fire was in the chimney, and the house was owned by an Amish family. We were fruitlessly scanning houses when we spotted a bearded man in overalls and a wide-brimmed hat dancing and waving from a rooftop. That pretty much narrowed it down.
Once you have called for help, there are a number of little things that can enhance our response. For starters, make sure your house number (sometimes called a "fire number" in rural areas) can be seen—that it isn't missing or in disrepair, obscured by overgrown brush or hedges, or stenciled on the butt of a garden gnome.
Post your house number plainly, and make sure it can be seen at night. In fact, nothing helps us locate the right house when it's dark like someone flashing the porch light. If someone is available, send him to the end of the drive or down to the entryway. One bit of warning: Once we spot you, step well clear. Sometimes folks try to run up to the rig, which gives them a shot at being first on the gurney. Ambulances and fire trucks are extremely heavy and cannot stop on a dime. Give us room to get everything shut down before you leap to the running board.
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